Richard Littler QC secures acquittal in murder trial

August 5, 2019

Richard Littler QC from Exchange Chambers has secured an acquittal for an 18-year old man charged with murder after a four-week trial at Manchester Crown Court.

Denver Walton was found not guilty of the murder of 20-year-old Tyrelle Burke after the jury deliberated for almost 19 hours.  He was convicted of manslaughter and possession of an offensive weapon and sentenced to seven years and three months.

Jurors heard how Walton stabbed Mr Burke on April 5.

Prosecutors said that Walton was thrown out of Mr Burke’s house after they had been partying into the early hours.  The pair had been in the house with a woman called Kerris Stone, after returning to the property following a night at a hotel with friends in Northenden.

Jurors heard that Mr Burke told Walton he had to leave, after his mother and younger brother had already left the house for work and school.

Walton claimed Mr Burke and Ms Stone had been kissing, which Ms Stone denied. He said that Mr Burke then ‘grabbed him by the throat’ and began to punch him.

Walton said he reached for a knife, which he knew was stored in Mr Burke’s bedroom, to warn his friend off.  But Mr Burke sustained a single stab wound, which proved to be fatal.

Despite emergency surgery at Manchester Royal Infirmary, Mr Burke was pronounced dead later that day.

Richard is a member of the criminal department at Exchange Chambers.

This case received local press coverage.